Andrew Dunemann to be interviewed for North Queensland Cowboys coaching job

FORMER Cowboys player Andrew Dunemann will be interviewed for the North Queensland coaching job as Trent Barrett drifts out of contention.

Andrew Dunemann, assistant coach at the Canberra Raiders

FORMER Cowboys player Andrew Dunemann will be interviewed for the North Queensland coaching job as Trent Barrett drifts out of contention.

The Cowboys board will ramp-up the search for Neil Henry's successor from Monday, when Raiders assistant Dunemann is scheduled to meet officials after North Queensland's clash with Penrith in Sydney.

The development comes as Newcastle assistant Rick Stone last night confirmed his interest in resurrecting his career as an NRL head coach at the Cowboys next season.

Barrett was among the first names mentioned as a possible replacement for Henry in May. But it is unlikely he will coach the Cowboys in 2014 with the NSW Origin assistant keeping a close eye on coaching machinations at the Tigers.

Barrett's management met a Balmain director last week. Barrett has expressed interest in the Cowboys job, but sources say the 35-year-old will be installed as Tigers coach if the joint venture sacks embattled rookie Mick Potter.

Potter may be lucky to survive the season, with a Wests Tigers board meeting scheduled for the end of this month.

Barrett is keen to launch his career as an NRL head coach but a chance at the Tigers instead of North Queensland may be more palatable given he is currently employed as an assistant at Penrith.

Continuing his career at a Sydney club would help Barrett keep his job as the right-hand man to NSW coach Laurie Daley.

Wests director Mike Bailey said he was aware of speculation linking Barrett with the Tigers, but insisted no definitive call had been made on Potter.

"We met (yesterday) on a number of issues and that (Potter's future) is on hold at the moment," he said.

"Whenever there is rumour of a possible change, then some names come to the surface. Yes, Trent Barrett has come to the surface, but we aren't in a position to say, 'Yes, we are going down that path'.

"Our next board meeting isn't until the end of the month so nothing will happen immediately."

Stone, currently an assistant to Wayne Bennett at the Knights, has yet to formally apply for the Cowboys job but it is believed he has been sounded out by club hierarchy.

"I am keen to become a head coach again so the Cowboys position is certainly one of interest for me," he said.

"I haven't applied for the job as yet but I'm certainly interested.

"I've been working under Wayne Bennett at the Knights and I'd like to think my time alongside him has improved my skill set and made me more employable."

Veteran Cowboys winger Ashley Graham, who announced his retirement on Tuesday, said he was impressed by the candidates expressing an interest in succeeding Henry.

Others eyeing the Cowboys post include Paul Green, Kevin Walters and Justin Morgan.

"All the guys that have put their hand up have their credentials," he said.

"They clearly all have something to offer so that's something the board will have to weigh up and make a decision on.

"I was disappointed to hear that he's not going to be here next year. He has done a lot for my footy that's for sure.

"I find it hard to fault anything that he has done for me."